I agree with everything you've written here Tinman. There was a time when McGrady could score as easily as anyone that's ever played the game, but the only thing I care about is what happens with him as a Rocket. While there was no one better than MJ, lots of players could do what he did, just not as well. But NO ONE has ever played in the post like the Dream, and I'm willing to bet no one ever will. Watching Dream play was a thing of beauty. Dream is the standard by which all other Rockets are measured.
I'll inject my opinion into this conversation. I've got to admit I voted for T-mac and I've also never ever seen Hakeem play. So i could only vote T-mac since I have absolutely no evidence to base Hakeem on. Heck I've only ever seen the highlight videos on Clutchfans about Hakeem and usually they were all blocks.......... What I do have a problem with is people always stating him being one of the top 10 players of all time. Or the most dominant center. I am well aware that he destroyed Shaq when Shaq first came out but honestly Hakeem usually makes the top 5 CENTERS of all time. If you add certain players into the list (Michael Jordan for one) I don't know if you could justify him as a top 10 player of all time. Top 20 maybe, top 10 is a bit of a stretch. I know this sounds like heresy but like I really think if they made a list Hakeem would sit outside the top 10. Maybe just. Just taking the top person at ever position and you have the first 5, and then add in some that have achieved more and equally as effective (note effective, Shaq would fit in this category) and you would find Hakeem sits outside. But I think comparing him to T-mac is dumb too, his a center, and T-mac is a swingman, its like comparing Kobe Bryant to Hakeem sounds stupid
I have never heard anyone outside of Houston say that Hakeem is a top 10 player of all time I only hear it on here and some people say he's a top 5 player which is really crazy to say if you ask me. In no way am I trying to diss the Dream becasue he's a great player and Houston should be happy to have had a top 15-20 player to ever play the game thats where I would rank him in my opinion.
I'm not from Houston, but watch Dream in his prime.....if Shaq and Kobe are both creeping towards the top 10....I think Dream should be there to. Dream was dominating HOF centers, while Shaq dominate mostly scrubs, aging centers, and youngsters. I'm not knocking Shaq, but the media rates as being the 2nd to 4th best center ever. While Dream might only be 4th highest, on alot of list I have seen him behind Walton, Parrish, and even David Robinson. Top 5 or 7: Wilt, Russell, MJ, Kareem, Bird, Magic, Oscar, West --- I could understand those players being ahead of him, but when you get to players like Havilcek, Cousy, Baylor, Petite, Lucas, Walton, Shaq, Mikan.....I think he is in the class with those players.
Instead of making a Dream and Tmac comparison you should make a Clyde and Tmac comparison and Yao Vs Hakeem imo... Tmac at his prime > Clyde at his prime Hakeem at his prime >>>>>>>>>> Yao at his prime
It depends on how you interpret the question. I interpreted it as "in his prime, would you want tmac or hakeem to be the foundation for your team?" I would pick Hakeem over anyone. Superstar swingmen are much easier to replace than superstar centers.
Since you haven't seen him you can't make an accurate assessment of him. You are ignorant about how great a player he was. He was the nightmare for the rest of the league at his peak. Even Michael Jordan called him the # 1 player in the NBA at one point and I saw him doing that with my own eyes. Jordan also selected Hakeem as the center for his dream team. That doesn't necessarily make him better than Wilt or Kareem but definitely puts him in that top 10 category IMO. He destroyed all the centers in his era,Ewing,Shaq,Robinson, and humiliated the most physical PF of all time Karl Malone. Shaq on multiple occasions said that Hakeem was the best center in the league. Robinson was trashed by the Jazz in the playoffs despite being a center in comparison. Also Hakeem along with Ralph beat Kareem and Magic in only his 2nd year in the NBA. Even though we lost in the finals to the Celtics,Larry Bird was in awe of him. Everyone has a right to their opinion but I think the players who played against and with him know better than all of us.
b/c hakeem played in a small city like houston. the media only likes to say players that are "cool" in the public. i've talked to hardcore lakers or warriors fans and quite a few put hakeem in the top 10 of all time. it's sad that people do not understand how good hakeem is. like i said, hakeem dominated both sides of the ball. a lot of great players they say are great only play half of the game.
Hakeem only had another all-star to help, later in his career. Clyde Drexler and Barkley and Pippen. He was already 31 years old in 1994. Shaq got swepted by Hakeem in Orlando. Shaq was playing in a league with few hall of fame caliber centers. Shaq had kobe, dwayne and penny hardaway(used to be good). Hakeem would outplay Shaq. Shaq has always said Hakeem was the only center better than him, not Robinson, not Ewing, not Camby. I agree with Shaq.
There are only about two centers think I would definitely take over Dream, probably Wilt and Kareem (pre-Lakers). That's about it. Everyone else would almost be a push, or I would pick Dream.
but you can also argue who did wilt play against besides russell? dude was so much stronger and bigger than everybody else it was like he was playing against high schoolers. kareem did have an unstoppable offensive game though so i think he would dominate any era. but like i said, hakeem went against the cream of the crop when the center position was at its peak (hakeem, robinson, ewing, shaq). he obliterated robinson when he won the MVP (straight up embarrassed him). he outplayed ewing when everybody in that finals series it seemed like struggled with their shot, including ewing. hakeem simply shot well above 50%. shaq was at his athletic, ridiculously crazy physique peak and hakeem still outplayed him. if you are a true basketball fan and a guy says dream is arguably the best center of all time, i wouldn't laugh at him. in fact, i got a lot of facts to back me up.
ai_111, AzNaNsZ, azoghbi, Bassem, bbjai, hasheesh, Jeff Who, kanggang, keanu, kikimama, macalu, mcgrady33090, Pizza_Da_Hut, Rockets#1fan, Shay, TiMacManiaa, WhoMikeJames, WillG shame on you. I would say this poll is ridiculous.....but you guys actually made it a debate.
